School Board may name new elementary in honor of volunteers

Published: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 11:06 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 11:32 p.m.

On a night when Marion County School Board members acknowledged the passing of long-time school volunteer Henry Duda with a prayer, Superintendent Jim Yancey unveiled a plan to name a new elementary school in honor of the service that Duda and other volunteers have given area schools.

Yancey said School Board policy forbids the district from naming the new Silver Springs Shores elementary school after the 31-year volunteer, who must be deceased 10 years.

Instead, Yancey suggested the new building be named Volunteer Elementary School, and that it feature a Volunteer Hall of Fame as a way to honor those who donate their time to education.

The suggestion came after School Board chairwoman Judi Zanetti announced that the board had also agreed to build a garden at the new school in honor of Duda, the 92-year-old volunteer who died on Sept. 17.

Officials say they may also build a small garden in honor of Duda at the downtown Ocala district office.

School Board Member Bobby James suggested the garden be built at either Ward Highlands Elementary or at a district office, where Duda volunteered more than 30,000 hours after he retired to Ocala about 31 years ago.

The board will settle on the name for the school at an official meeting later and will post its decision on the district's website — www.marion.k12.fl.us — as well.

The board had been leaning toward Silver Springs Shores Elementary but must also consider recommendations from individuals and community groups.

In April, the board decided to purchase 27 acres — a portion of the original 66-acre tract known as the "Papy Property" — to build the $20 million school south of Maricamp Road and west of Baseline Road.

Yancey's suggestion came after Board Member Jackie Porter gave an emotional goodbye prayer at the end of the meeting. Porter wept as she said goodbye to Duda, a dedicated veteran, teacher and volunteer.

In a moment of levity, Yancey — who played tight end for the University of Florida's football team 40 years ago — said he wanted to make it clear that the name of the new school was not in honor of the rival Tennessee Volunteers.

Yancey, an honorable mention All-American at UF in 1970, actually held the record for the longest touchdown catch in school history for seven years.

"We can't name it Gator Nation Elementary," he said in jest.

Contact Joe Callahan at 867-4113 or at joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter at JoeOcalaNews.

<p>On a night when Marion County School Board members acknowledged the passing of long-time school volunteer Henry Duda with a prayer, Superintendent Jim Yancey unveiled a plan to name a new elementary school in honor of the service that Duda and other volunteers have given area schools.</p><p>Yancey said School Board policy forbids the district from naming the new Silver Springs Shores elementary school after the 31-year volunteer, who must be deceased 10 years.</p><p>Instead, Yancey suggested the new building be named Volunteer Elementary School, and that it feature a Volunteer Hall of Fame as a way to honor those who donate their time to education.</p><p>The suggestion came after School Board chairwoman Judi Zanetti announced that the board had also agreed to build a garden at the new school in honor of Duda, the 92-year-old volunteer who died on Sept. 17.</p><p>Officials say they may also build a small garden in honor of Duda at the downtown Ocala district office.</p><p>School Board Member Bobby James suggested the garden be built at either Ward Highlands Elementary or at a district office, where Duda volunteered more than 30,000 hours after he retired to Ocala about 31 years ago.</p><p>The board will settle on the name for the school at an official meeting later and will post its decision on the district's website — www.marion.k12.fl.us — as well.</p><p>The board had been leaning toward Silver Springs Shores Elementary but must also consider recommendations from individuals and community groups.</p><p>In April, the board decided to purchase 27 acres — a portion of the original 66-acre tract known as the "Papy Property" — to build the $20 million school south of Maricamp Road and west of Baseline Road.</p><p>Yancey's suggestion came after Board Member Jackie Porter gave an emotional goodbye prayer at the end of the meeting. Porter wept as she said goodbye to Duda, a dedicated veteran, teacher and volunteer.</p><p>In a moment of levity, Yancey — who played tight end for the University of Florida's football team 40 years ago — said he wanted to make it clear that the name of the new school was not in honor of the rival Tennessee Volunteers.</p><p>Yancey, an honorable mention All-American at UF in 1970, actually held the record for the longest touchdown catch in school history for seven years.</p><p>"We can't name it Gator Nation Elementary," he said in jest.</p><p><i>Contact Joe Callahan at 867-4113 or at joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter at JoeOcalaNews.</i></p>